[sky]

to my basic question. I think what I have come away with most from your generous responses is that the inner smile roots awareness not so much in a word (mantra) or body part or respiratory process, but in a quality of consciousness. The fact that the quality of consciousness is called ‘smile’ evokes both a kind of playfulness and unlimited breatdh of possible inner experience. If the ‘just smile’ were instead named ‘just loving-kindness’, or ‘just openess’, or ‘just surrender’, or ‘just joy’ it would seem limited by these names. But the simplicity of the universal human smile allows all the above mentioned qualities of heart to be included and more. In the smile you have the coy, subtle, and slightly ambiguous beckoning to dive deeper into greater mystery. I think it is a common temptation to make one’s meditation object somewhat computational—if I press these buttons I get these results. Whereas the musicality of just smiling makes a nice cocktail of attention with heart, once again bringing the often heady act of concentration into the more visceral art of inward embracing. It also seems like the fluidity of Taosit practice draws upon its vast arsenal of techniques for what is most fitting in the moment rather than a one-size-fits-all rubber-stamping of the moment. Is this what is meant by the natural way? Again I thank you all and look forward to continuing the larger conversations. And thanks, Michael, that great smile “in all dimensions of NOW“ sent a gentle wave of joy and lightness right into my solar plexus. Smile deeply received. And now joining the smiling of all smilers in this moment back to you—-
Sky

Thought this Japanese dental insert might help accelerate my practice ;]

[sky]

My practice of the Healing Tao is recent and very green. Right now I am working with a few of Mantak Chia’s initial books (Awakening Healing Light, Secrets of Love, Iron Shirt, etc) and corresponding DVD’s. My practice over the past few years has been one of inner alchemy from the Western tradition primarily based in the works of Rudolph Steiner and Western Hermeticism. The regimen of body-based alchemy in Healing Tao is very appealing and accessible. Does this kind of information help you, Bagua, in answering my initial questions?

The ongoing dialectic in this forum between “emptiness” meditation and alchemical subtle body building is a theme I have explored for several years primarily in Theravada Buddhist, Hindu, and Western esoteric contexts, and now here it is again in Taoism. It does seem however that both orientations (“just sitting” vs “energy transformation”) typically have a device for anchoring the mind while outside of the meditation hut and washing dishes. Certain systems of energy practice will have such a device that anchors the mind, yet continues the process of alchemy as in awareness of the pineal gland (while washing the dishes.) My question still is, is there such a device in the Healing Tao, and what is it, and does it change over time while moving through the exercises?

I find the posts in this forum stimulating and am happy to observe discussions on the nature of the self in view of dissolution vs absorption, immortality vs enlightenment, reincarnation vs shattering of the astral body at death–in my experience such discussions are rare outside of Asia.

By the way as someone new to HT (and to posting in forums) and trying to navigate through the various books, audio/visual media, and course offerings, I am open to recommendations for where to place foundational focus, or links to postings or pages where such information is listed. For example, is it worthwhile to study Mantak Chia’s and Michael Winn’s programs simultaneously?

Any response to the above is welcomed and appreciated.

Kind Regards,

S

regards,
S

[Author]

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